Kimber Benefit Set For Saturday

August 25, 2014

GERRY- Zachary Kimber loves running around like other 7-year-old boys. However, due to limitations at birth, Zachary can no longer play sports and was pulled from gym class. Now a benefit will be held on Saturday to help pay for surgeries and lifelong expenses Zachary will accrue.

Born at 33 weeks with several congenital abnormalities, Zachary has dealt with surgeries for cleft lip, a tethered spinal cord, and lengthening the Achilles tendon on both feet and colostomy. Zachary also has bilateral club feet, and according to his mother - Alicia Kimber - the center of his foot was turned almost all the way backward. In addition to this, he has esophageal reflux and lacks tear ducts - which will require Zachary to have glass tubes put in to serve as ducts after he finishes growing.

His next surgery involves putting hinges in both ankles and screwing together his fibulas and tibias. This is intended to straighten out Zachary's foot because, at the moment, he walks on the inside of his foot.

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Zachary Kimber

"He's in pain all the time. The pain doesn't go away," Alicia Kimber said. "... If we go anywhere, like the mall, we can only go for a short walk before we have to sit. If he does a lot of walking, it hurts his legs and his ankles."

So far, Zachary's medical expenses have already totaled more than $100,000. These expenses will continue to occur for the rest of his life.

A benefit will be held at The Backyard Bar and Grill at 4003 Route 380 in Gerry on Aug. 30 from noon-8 p.m. In addition to the $10 chicken dinners, a cash bar, 50/50 drawing and a Chinese auction featuring a pair of Buffalo Bills home game tickets versus the Miami Dolphins and a knife set donated by Case will also be available.

Live entertainment will also take place throughout the entire benefit. From noon until 2 p.m., DJ Steve Trepani will perform, Bill and the Outlaws will follow him from 2-4 p.m., Tommy D. will play for an hour from 4-5 p.m. with KISS tribute band Mizzbehavin' finishing off the night from 6-8 p.m.

If unable to attend, all local Community Banks have a fund set up and checks may be payable to Zach's Benefit c/o Roger and Alicia Kimber.